Towing Question
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Towing Question
Idiot question here but I just got an 08 f250 about a week ago. The other day I hooked up the boat and was backing in the driveway and the backup sensors were going off the entire time I was in reverse. Also the message center said that no trailer was connected. This is the only thing ive towed so far, I tried to read in the manual but i didnt find what i was looking for. How do you know if the truck is registering that the trailer is connected? I appreciate any help. Thanks
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
As far as the back up sensors go, there is a button in the middle of the dash to push when backing with a trailer to turn off the alarm, should be lableled RSS I think. Im no help with it not registering your trailer tho. Someone will chime in im sure.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
Make sure your trailer wiring matches up correctly with the wiring schematic on the plug on your truck. I think there is 2 ways to wire up the plugs and some trailers are wired differently. Otherwise it is most likely your ground on the trailer isn't good enough and the brake controller isn't getting a good signal from your brakes on the trailer.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Idiot question here but I just got an 08 f250 about a week ago. The other day I hooked up the boat and was backing in the driveway and the backup sensors were going off the entire time I was in reverse. Also the message center said that no trailer was connected. This is the only thing ive towed so far, I tried to read in the manual but i didnt find what i was looking for. How do you know if the truck is registering that the trailer is connected? I appreciate any help. Thanks
As far as the TBC not finding the trailer, it could be trailer wiring as noted. It could also just be water/snow in the plug receiver. This has been noticed by others, particularly during the winter. And this is a boat?
Your trailer should NOT be grounded through the ball. It should be grounded through the plug If you had this problem then you had a bad ground somewhere else and sanding the paint off the hitch just disguised the real issue.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
Does your trailer have brakes? The TCB won't show a trailer connected unless it does. I've towed boats up to 21 feet that didn't have brakes on the trailer.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
True, but I don't think you would see the "no trailer connected" message. That is supposed to be a fault message - I think. When I pull my little utility trailer, no brakes, the TBC does not even turn on. Mine is an '06 of course, and the OP has an '08.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
Well, you beat me to the punch. On my '05, the message center doesn't indicate the trailer unless you manually squeeze the gain control on the TBC. If you do that, the message center says no trailer detected or something like that. This is when using the 4 pin connector for my utility trailer which of course doesn't have brakes.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
Does your boat trailer have a 4 pin or a 6 pin connector? 4 pin = no trailer brakes I personally do not know of any boat trailer that has electric brakes. It sucks when you submerge electric brakes in saltwater or even fresh water. No electric brakes = no connection signal.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
Thats what my uncles 08 F350 says sometimes when we tow this old junky trailer. We think it is just a bad connection because it comes on for a while then goes off. Hope you find out whats wrong.
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the replies. I found the back up sensor button so that issue is solved. Pretty annoying when youre backing up and its beeping the whole time. The trailer is a 5 plug adapter, and the trailer has brakes. If im backing up with a 4 plug adapter, the brakes lock. I remember now, like powerstroke72 said, the message center said something like "no trailer connected" when i slid the gain control. Im in texas and its been pretty warm so i pulled the boat out the other day, so no snow or water. Maybe the truck is registering that the trailer is back there? I guess Im just not sure if the gain control is working. I ste it to ten and then to zero and couldnt tell any differences, this is why i think its not registering. Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 1
From: No.Va.
Thanks for all the replies. I found the back up sensor button so that issue is solved. Pretty annoying when youre backing up and its beeping the whole time. The trailer is a 5 plug adapter, and the trailer has brakes. If im backing up with a 4 plug adapter, the brakes lock. I remember now, like powerstroke72 said, the message center said something like "no trailer connected" when i slid the gain control. Im in texas and its been pretty warm so i pulled the boat out the other day, so no snow or water. Maybe the truck is registering that the trailer is back there? I guess Im just not sure if the gain control is working. I ste it to ten and then to zero and couldnt tell any differences, this is why i think its not registering. Thanks.
There is no brake signal wire on the 4 wire flat plug.
Something isn't wired right,or bad adapter.
